Article of jewelry

ABSTRACT

An article of manufacture comprising a chain component having ends with the means to fasten the ends and close and secure the chain. Also provided are one or more character elements, such as a charm or some other form of pendant or the like, and a means attached to or integrally formed with each character element adapted to facilitate the placement and removal of the character elements relative to the chain component. The invention also enables a plurality of the character elements to be placed in abutting relation along particular sections of the chain component to allow the formation of the character elements in a desired and aesthetically attractive sequence.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to the area of jewelryand, more particularly, to an improved article of jewelry comprising achain for use as a necklace, bracelet and the like in combination withcharms or similar items that can be placed and manipulated upon thechain in a facilitative manner.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Chains of all types used as a component of an article of jewelryare well known in the prior art. These chains can be made from a varietyof materials, including metals or metal alloys, e.g., gold, silver, andstainless steel, a synthetic composition, e.g. plastic, or some otherresilient material, or even fabric. The designs, dimensions, andtextures of the chains also can vary. Coupling mechanisms provided tojoin the ends and close the chain are employed using a variety of matingcomponents, including a clasp, buckle, clip and other suitablefasteners.

[0005] The drawbacks associated with the prior art devices regard theattempts, usually unsuccessful, at conveniently and easily uniting achain with a conventional coupling device and a charm or some othercharacter element of the type and size used in conjunction with thepresent invention. Most, if not all, coupling mechanisms in common usepresently are simply too large or cumbersome in structure to enable acharm or a series of charms, particularly letters of an alphabet of anylanguage intended to form a word, to be placed easily onto the chain andmanipulated there, or to be easily removed from the chain to be replacedor repaired. Efforts to place one or several charms onto a chain wherethey can easily be moved around and maneuvered into the proper sequenceare often stifled or prevented by such obstacles as the shape, size, ordesign of the chain and/or the particular charm or character elementinvolved. A charm, which often has certain size limitations, with a tabor similar component attached to the top or back of the item to enableit to join with a chain is difficult to work with if the chain couplingcomponents are not sufficiently accommodating in terms of their own sizeor shape.

[0006] Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an article of jewelrycomprising a chain, a device suitable in shape and size that joins andfastens the chain ends together, and a charm or a series of charms,particularly those with certain desirable size limitations, with meansintegrally formed therewith to facilitate the placement of the charmsonto the chain, the formation of the charms on the chain in a desiredsequence and/or combination and the removal of the charms from the chainfor replacement or repair. The present invention addresses this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention provides an article of manufacturecomprising a chain component having ends with the means to fasten theends and close and secure the chain. Also provided are one or morecharacter elements, such as a charm or some other form of pendant or thelike, and a means attached to or integrally formed with each characterelement adapted to facilitate the placement and removal of the characterelements relative to the chain component. The invention also enables aplurality of the character elements to be placed in abutting relationalong particular sections of the chain component to allow the formationof the character elements in a desired and aesthetically attractivesequence and/or combination.

[0008] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide anarticle of jewelry with a chain component that is easily combined with awide variety of charms, pendants and the like.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide an articleof jewelry that facilitates the placement of a charm or a series ofcharms or pendant components onto a chain, particularly charms orpendants with certain size limitations.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide an articleof jewelry that facilities the formation of the charms or pendants in adesired and aesthetically attractive sequence and/or combination alongsections of the chain.

[0011] Still another object of the present invention is to provide anarticle of jewelry that facilitates the removal of the charms orpendants from the chain for replacement or repair.

[0012] Still another object of the present invention is to provide anarticle of jewelry with mating coupling components attached torespective ends of the chain that are appropriately shaped and sized toaccommodate the charms and pendants, particularly those with certainsize limitations, and enable the chain and charms (or pendants) toeasily engage and disengage from one another.

[0013] Still yet another object of the present invention is to providean article of jewelry that is easy and cost effective to manufacture.

[0014] Still yet another object of the present invention is to providean article of jewelry that is easy to use and manipulate.

[0015] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent in the following specifications when considered in light of theattached drawings wherein a preferred embodiment of the invention isillustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the article of jewelry inaccordance with the present invention, showing the individual charm orcharacter components being slidable along and supported by the chain.

[0017] FIG.2 is an enlarged view of a section of the article of jewelryin accordance with the present invention illustrating the manner inwhich the chain and the charm or character element engage.

[0018]FIG.3. is an enlarged view of a section of the article of jewelryin accordance with the present invention illustrating the closure of thechain.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0019] The preferred embodiment of the present invention, as shown inFIGS. 1-3, provides an article of jewelry 10 that includes a chaincomponent 12 and one or more character elements 14 thereon. Chaincomponent 12 may be made of any suitable material, including gold orsilver, any other metal or metal alloy, or any resilient synthetic ornatural material. The material may be formed in any desirable andappropriate length, thickness, shape, color and texture. However, thesize of many conventional chains used as necklaces, bracelets or thelike range in thickness from est. {fraction (1/32)} to {fraction (1/16)}of an inch. Affixed at each end of charm component 12 are means to closeand secure the chain, including any suitable clip, clasp, buckle or thelike. FIG. 1 illustrates fastener 16, which includes plunger 18 andreceptacle 20, which are typically size-appropriate relative to thediameter of the chain component 12. Receptacle 20 is attached to chaincomponent 12 by ring 22 and eyelet 24 combination.

[0020] Character elements 14 can comprise a wide variety of shapes,designs, colors and indicia, including letters of the English or anyother alphabet, as illustrated in the drawings, Arabic or Romannumerals, or graphics or shapes of any suitable nature, embellished orotherwise. Each character element 14 has a front surface 26 and a backsurface 28. Although size may vary, the typical dimensions of the charmor character element 14 used in conjunction with the present inventionare est. {fraction (1/4″)} in height, {fraction (1/4″)} in width and{fraction (1/16″)} in depth. Front surface 26 typically supports thegraphics or embellished indicia, such as encrusted semi-precious stones30. Affixed to back surface 28 are the means to engage the plunger 18 tofacilitate the placement of one or more character elements 14 onto chaincomponent 12. The structure of plunger 18 enables the component toeasily thread such means, including, for example, the loop 32illustrated in FIG.2, and facilitate the placement of the characterelement 14 or a series of such elements onto the chain. Loop 32 includesan opening 33 measuring est. {fraction (1/16″)} in diameter that is sizeappropriate to the dimensions of character element 14 and isaccommodating to the size and shape of plunger 18. Also provided is themeans to easily form a series of these character elements in the desiredand attractive sequence and/or combination, such as by employingindividual letters of an alphabet on the chain to spell a word or aperson's name or charms with different or interesting shapes, e.g.hearts or stars. The ability to remove a character element 14 from thechain to repair or replace it is also facilitated.

[0021] While the invention will be described in connection with acertain preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that it is notintended to limit the invention to that particular embodiment. Rather,it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalentsas may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention asdefined by the appended claims.

1. An article of jewelry, comprising: a chain member, said chain memberhaving a first end and a second end, said first end of said chain memberhaving a male component and said second end of said chain member havinga female component, said male component and said female component beingadapted to be joined to enable said chain member to close, one or morecharacter elements, each of said character elements having meansintegrally formed therewith to enable said chain member to engage andsupport said character element, said male component being adapted tofacilitate the placement and removal of said character element relativeto said chain member and to enable a plurality of character elements tobe placed along sections of said chain member to enable the formation ofsaid character elements in a desired and aesthetically attractivesequence.
 2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said character element isadapted in size to accommodate said means integrally formed therewith toenable said chain member to engage and support said character element,said means having an opening adapted in size for permitting entry ofsaid male component.
 3. The invention of claim 1 wherein said malecomponent comprises a plunger element and said female componentcomprises a tubular receptacle for receiving said plunger in releasableengagement therewith.
 4. The invention of claim 1 wherein said meansintegrally formed with said character element comprises one or more tabsaffixed to said character element and defining an opening therein. 5.The invention of claim 1 wherein said character element has a backsurface and a front surface, said front surface having decorativeindicia thereon.
 6. The invention of claim 5 wherein said back surfacecomprises the support base for said tab.
 7. The invention of claim 1wherein said character element is in the shape of a letter of theEnglish alphabet.
 8. The invention of claim 1 wherein said characterelements are placed in abutting relation along said chain member.